The University of Iowa topped $400 million in external research funding for the fifth consecutive year, fueled by gains in corporate, industry, and philanthropic funding that helped offset cutbacks in federal research funding amid tight budgets and the government-mandated sequestration. Total share of external funding for fiscal 2013 was $424 million, and researchers landed a record 2,130 grant and contract awards.

The University of Iowa eclipsed $400 million in external funding for research for the fourth consecutive year. The UI's total share of external funding for fiscal 2012 was $438 million, up 3.2 percent compared to fiscal 2011, when excluding short-term stimulus funding. The UI also landed a record number of grant awards.

The Iowa Board of Regents on Wednesday voted to approve schematic designs and funding to bring arts buildings destroyed by the 2008 flood back to life, a significant step forward in the campus recovery process.